Russia: State protection, recourse, governmental and non-governmental resources available to female victims of spousal abuse or domestic violence, particularly in the city of Rostov
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 23 March 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | RUS33887.E |
| Reference | 7 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Russia: State protection, recourse, governmental and non-governmental resources available to female victims of spousal abuse or domestic violence, particularly in the city of Rostov, 23 March 2000, RUS33887.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad7953.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No reports on domestic violence specifically in the city of Rostov could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Little information further to RUS30983.E of 26 January 1999 and the 1997 Human Rights Watch report referred to in this Response could be found on domestic violence in Russia as a whole.
However, A paper entitled Laws Discriminating Against Women in Poland, Russia and Serbia authored by Nevenka Pavlovic, which was published circa May 1999 on the Ohio Northern University (ONU) International Law Society Webpage
Currently, there are no laws that address the problems associated with domestic violence. Furthermore, police are frequently reluctant, even unwilling to involve themselves in what they see as purely domestic disputes. The impact of this act means that victims rarely have recourse to protection from authorities.
Country Reports 1999 also reported on the situation:
Domestic violence remains a major problem, as victims rarely have recourse to protection from the authorities. Police frequently are reluctant or even unwilling to involve themselves in what they see as purely domestic disputes. Many women are deterred from reporting such crimes because of this and because the housing system makes it difficult either to find housing outside the family dwelling or to expel an abusive spouse, even after a final divorce action. The underlying problem that remains is that much of society, including some leaders in the human rights community, do not acknowledge domestic violence as a problem or do not believe it to be an area for concern outside the family...
There is a general lack of understanding of this issue in the legal community and there is no legal definition of domestic violence. Some forms of battering are addressed in the new Criminal Code but are defined too narrowly to apply to most cases. There is also a lack of national political will to consider these issues seriously. Thus far more than four dozen renditions of a national civil law to address domestic violence have failed to make any progress through the Duma.
Hospitals and members of the medical profession provide assistance to women who have been assaulted. However, some doctors are reluctant to ascertain the details of a sexual assault, fearing that they may be required to spend long periods in court
In October 1998, the Government cosponsored an international conference on domestic violence against women, the first conference on this subject in the country. Conference participants discussed the root causes of domestic violence and cooperation among NGO's, academics, and government officials to address the problem.
Despite serious problems and difficulties in addressing these issues, many effective projects are underway. Crisis centers have formed an association in order to coordinate their efforts better. They have chosen Marina Pisklakova, the Director of the crisis center ANNA, as President. The association held its first national conference on September 23-25 in Moscow. Due to successful collaboration for the October 1998 joint conference in Moscow, nongovernmental work in the area is recognized and supported by several government entities. (Feb. 2000 Section 5)
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1999. February 2000.
Pavlovic, Nevenka. Circa May 1999. Laws Discriminating Against Women in Poland, Russia, and Serbia.
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
Internet Sources, including:
Network of East-West Women (NEWW)
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)
The Russia Journal
Russia Today
Women's Watch
World News Connection (WNC).
